Palmerston North has a population of 80,000, is the seventh largest city in New Zealand and is the largest provincial city in the region. It's the home of the largest campuses of Massey University and the Universal College of Learning (UCOL) and also the International Pacific College (IPC), making Palmerston North a student-oriented city home to 18,000 students. It is also the home of the Linton Military Camp and has the Air Force Base, Ohakea, close by. The Adidas Institute of Rugby, based at Massey University, focuses on improving the skills of the All Blacks, the national rugby union team, though sightings of them there are rare.

Originally named Palmerston, the city was renamed Palmerston North in 1871 by the Post Office to distinguish it from the town of Palmerston in the South Island.

Palmerston North Airport (PMRIATA) is on the outskirts of the suburb of Milson and 5 km (3.1 mi) north-east of the CBD. The airport has scheduled domestic operations, charter flights and General Aviation. Road access to the airport is from either Airport Drive or McGregor Street.

Air New Zealand Link operate flights to Palmerston North from Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton and Wellington. Jetstar operates flights to Palmerston North from Auckland.

NOTE: State Highway 3 through the Manawatu Gorge east of Palmerston North is closed indefinitely due to slips and unstable hillsides. From Napier and Hastings, follow the signposted detour route from Woodville over the Saddle Road to meet SH 3 at Ashhurst. From Masterton, follow the signposted route from Pahiatua over the Pahiatua Track to approach Palmerston North from the south. Allow an extra 15-30 minutes for the detour. For more information, see the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) website.

Palmerston North is 7 hr by car from Auckland and 2 hr from the capital Wellington. The city is located on State Highway 3 (SH 3), with State Highways 56 and 57 passing close by.

From Auckland, follow State Highway 1 south to Sanson, then follow State Highway 3. You'll approach the city from the north.

From Napier and Hastings, follow State Highway 2 south to Woodville, then follow State Highway 3. You'll approach the city from the east.

From Wellington, follow State Highway 1 north, turning off onto State Highway 57 just south of Levin. North of Shannon, you have two options - continue following State Highway 57 to approach the city from the south, or turn off onto State Highway 56 to approach it from the west.

Palmerston North is built around The Square. Railway lines used to run through the Square, to the station, goods and shunting yards on Main Street west. This proved to be extremely impractical so the station was moved in 1964-66 and the site was subsequently turned into a park, known as the Railway Land. This explains why the roads radiating outwards from the Square are so wide because they used to accommodate the railway tracks. Most places are easily accessible by foot.

One of the advantages of Palmerston North is that it is compact, flat and easy to cycle around. The main educational institutions have cycle-lanes from the city centre. The main route to Massey University along Fitzherbert Avenue is packed with cyclists every morning.

Victoria Esplanade. Open from dawn to dusk. The Education Centre and conservatory is open weekdays 10AM-4PM and weekends 12PM-4PM.. Beautiful gardens (including a stunning rose garden), conservatory, walks, strolls along the Manawatu River, picnics, an aviary, playground for the kids, paddling pool, free electric BBQ's and a scenic railway. Victoria House, a historic building (the original Palmerston North's post office) is situated in the grounds.